Page 15 of Unexpected Love

“Thank you for this.” We silently munch on the peanut butter crackers. The salty and sweet mixture tastes delicious, but I really wish I could eat something else. My cats sit on the floor in between us. Ragnar is hoping for a spare crumb, and Lagertha just loves being where her brother is.

Joe finishes off the crackers and puts the dirty plate in my sink. He moves through my kitchen with ease, making me another cup of tea.

“How involved do you plan on being? How is this going to work with you four hours away?”

He sits across from me, and I take a sip of my tea, waiting for him to answer. “I’d like to be involved as much as you’ll let me. The distance might make it hard, but I can come up whenever I have time off.”

“Why would you want to spend that much time here?”

He raises his eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I? Chloe, you’re the mother of my child. Shouldn’t we get to know each other better?”

That makes sense. We’re going to be raising a child together to some capacity. It’s only logical that we get to know each other. “You’re right. Sorry, this is just all crazy, and it wasn’t planned. I’m a planner. Things have to be a certain way. I don’t deal with change well, which isn’t good because kids are unpredictable. Hell, this pregnancy has been unpredictable already.” I lay my head down on the table. “I’m going to be a terrible mother.”

Tears threaten to fall…again, but I push them back. I’ve never been a crier, but this baby is turning me into a freaking crybaby. I only have vague recollections of my mom, and honestly I don’t know if they’re good or bad. It’s just random images. Carter was too young to remember her at all. I do remember how I felt the day I met Ian and Garrett: Dad and Pops. I felt safe and immediately loved.

Not just by them, but the whole family as well. I thought I’d drown in all the love they gave us. Tay Tay became my favorite person the moment I met her. She always looked like a Disney princess to me. Whenever we’d go down to visit Uncle Gary and Aunt Renée, I’d always stay with my Tay Tay.

Images assault me of a night I wish I’d forget. Stacy had been involved with a DEA agent. When she found out he was married, she broke it off, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’d been sleeping over at her house when I got up to go to the bathroom. A man covered in tattoos stood in the hallway asking me about her and Dustin.

He’d told me if I told anyone, he’d hurt my Tay Tay. It took a long time to get over that and to not freak out when Stacy wasn’t around. It caused a rift between her and Pops, but they eventually made up…I haven’t thought about that night in a long time. Why now?

“Are you okay?” I look at Joe, who is looking at me with concern written on his face.

“Yeah, sorry. My mind just wandered off.”

He grabs my hand. “Are you sure? You look troubled.”

“The baby has my hormones going bonkers, and it’s just got me thinking about my birth mom or what I can remember. That isn’t much, but she obviously was a horrible mother. Carter was born and had cocaine in his system; it’s why they took us.” I swipe angrily at the tears that fall. “What if this baby makes something snap in my brain and I become her?”

The scraping sound of a chair moving has me looking up as Joe gets down on his knees next to me. “No tears, babe. I don’t think it happens that way. Everything you’re feeling is normal. When my sister was pregnant with Rion, she cried all the time. It was always about little stuff, but to her, it was monumental. It stopped when she got through the beginning. I didn’t know your mom, but from what I know of you, I don’t think you’re the type to do anything that would hurt your child, our child.”

I blow out a breath. Joe’s so close that his woodsy scent permeates my senses. My breasts tingle, and I feel myself get wet. What is happening to me? I’m like a big jumbled emotional rollercoaster.

Before I can stop myself, I reach out and cup Joe’s face. His sky blue eyes bore into me, and I’m lost. Leaning forward, I place my lips against his. They’re full but masculine. He immediately takes control of the kiss but keeps it soft. His hand moves under my shirt. He reaches my overly sensitive breasts, and I moan against his mouth.

The sound of a phone ringing breaks the spell, and we break apart. “Shit.” Joe looks at his phone and then back at me. “I have to take this.” I nod.

“Hey, Mom. Yeah, I’ll be there.” There’s a pause, and he looks at me. “I’m in Atlanta.” There’s another pause. “I’m visiting Chloe.”

I’m shocked he just told her that. I raise an eyebrow, and he just smiles at me. I mouth, Are you staying?

He mouths back, Am I?

I nod and stand up while Joe talks to his mom, and when I go to move past him, he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to stand between his legs. He props his phone up on his shoulder and places his large hand on my lower stomach. I bite my lip as my whole body trembles. He can feel it—I know he can, because his eyes darken.

“Yeah, I’m staying up here tonight. I’ll be home tomorrow.” A pause. “I will. I love you too.” He removes his hand from my stomach and then grabs his phone, disconnecting the call. Joe grips my hips and pulls me to stand further between his legs.

I melt when again he places his large hand on my stomach. “I can’t believe a part of me is right inside here,” he says reverently.

I pull the ball cap off his head, running my fingers through his dark brown hair. It’s shaved close on the sides and around the back and longer on top. I kiss the top of his head but quickly pull away. What the hell am I doing?

“Should we get married?”

I freeze. “W-What?”

He looks up at me. “Do you think we should get married? For the baby?”

“No. God, no. We barely know each other. You don’t have to marry me to be involved with our baby. It’ll be a little difficult at first since you’re four hours away, but maybe we can come stay with you on weekends or whenever you’d want to see them. No matter what, I’d never keep your child from you. I’m not that person. My child will not be some pawn used to hurt you or trap you.”

Joe smiles a big goofy smile at me. “And you were worried you’d be a bad mom. That right there. What you just said shows the kind of mom you’re going to be.”

My hands rest on Joe’s shoulders. God, he feels firm, and his hands feel so good on me. He’s making me confused and super horny, but my stomach is turning. Reluctantly, I pull away. “My stomach is a little iffy right now.”

Joe stands up, and before I can protest, he’s got me in his arms. I’m finding that he really likes carrying me around. We move into my living room, and he lays me down in the corner of my sectional. It’s a loveseat with an attached chaise lounge. The fabric is a soft enduro-suede and a beautiful bluish-gray color.

“I’m getting your pills. Sit tight.”

I hear him bang around in my kitchen when both of my cats come strutting in and jump up, settling in next to me. My fingers sift through Ragnar’s then Lagertha’s soft hair. Their purrs make me smile. I lie down, hugging one of my pillows to my chest. My stomach turns, and I want to die right now…Not really, but this constant nausea is becoming irritating.

---